Self-winding electric clock.



PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907.

A. P. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 24, 1906.

5 SHEETSSHEET 1.

InvEn UP Ar hi? mule A DPnE :/IMZZFSES PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907.

A. P. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1906.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Wflfiessas: Aim hvEIi-Bp @ZLW 7 UP T. Paula No. 868,696. PATENTBD OCT.22, 1907. A. F. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.24, 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WI T155555 IDVEHIUP Z4), Am? 5 No. 868,696. PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907. A.F. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELBGTRIG CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JLN.24,1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Aflhup F. Paula W W m W W meg No. 868,696. PATENTED OCT; 22, 1907. A. F.POOLE. SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.24,1906;

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5 r) 7 mazes: v v EIVEI-IIUP Mm 62. @ww

HI UPDEU.

ARTHUR F. POOLE, OF, WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

SELF-WINDIHG ELECTRIC CLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed Oct. 22,1907.

Application filed January 24,1900. Serial Ho. 297.552.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Aa'rnua F. Poona, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of West Virginia,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Self-WindingElectric Clocks, (Case 3,) of which the following is a full, clear,concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification. Y

My invention relates to self-winding electric clocks, that is, clockswhich are rewound at proper intervals by mechanical means brought intoaction by the automatic closure of an electrical circuit, the object ofmy invention being to provide a self-winding clock which is of moresimple construction and of greater reliability and efficiency thanself-winding clocks as they have been heretofore manufactured. V

It is one of the primary objects of my invention to provide a clock ofthis nature in which the operating parts are diminished in number andare of a more simple nature, thereby reducing the liability ofderangement or improper operation and thus providing a self-windingclock relieved of all the complexities thathave heretofore been presentin clocks of this nature.

The essential feature of my invention is the manner in which the contactsprings at which the electrical circuit is opened and closed areoperated. Irr'selfwinding clocks of the prior art the circuit wascontrolled by a means operated by the momentum of the clock weight. Thisis manifestly not a desirable featurc; as the train of operating partswas necessarily too long and too complex for reliable operation. Inclocks of this nature as they have heretofore been constructed, theelectrical circuit was closed for an instant only, the action of themechanical parts, therefore, being operated with a quick and suddenmotion. This, of course, was unreliable as the clock was capable ofproper operation only when the battery was new and of considerablestrength; a weak battery being unable to bring about this spasmodicaction. In my invention I eliminate these very undesirable features andI provide a construction in which the contact springs are actuated byway of distinct and separate means, and are given positive action, theelectrical circuit when thus closed bringing about positive and reliableaction of the rewinding mechanism.

Another of the" mential features of my invention is the compactarrangement given to the various parts so that an instrument of goodappearance and durability is obtained. I provide means whereby thebattery or other electric current generator may be so disposed withreference to the operative parts of the'clock, that it may be appliedconveniently and without, necemity of complex electrical connections.

The construction herein described is such that when the clock hasreached a certain predetermined point when it must be rewound for thecontinuance of its operation the electrical circuit is automaticallyclosed and the mechanical parts are brought into operation,

this operation causing the clock weight to be raised to a certainpredetermined point or degree whereby the clock is once more incondition for continuance of operation.

It is one of the features of my invention that the power required toactuate the contact springs, lies in a spring which is normally undertension, and which is released when the clock has reached thepredetermined degree when it must be rewound, thisirelease.

effecting the operation of the contact mechanism, as will be hereinafterdescribed.

I also provide in my invention means whereby the clock may be adjustedand indicating means, whereby it may be indicated when the clock is inpositi n for proper operation.

It is further one of the features of my invention that that part of themechanism which accomplishes the rewinding of the clock mechanism itselfis not of a sensitive nature and does not require extreme nicety ofadjustment. Therefore, my invention provides a selfwinding clock whichdoes not easily get out of order and which can easily be brought intoperfect, reliable and eficient operation. My invention will be moreclearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a side elevation of my invention; .Fig. 2'

is a rear elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;Fig. 4 is an isolated section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is anisolated sectional view taken on line 5.5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a bottomviewof my device showing the disposition of the parts within the basecover; Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the base, the cover being brokenaway to disclose the parts within;

and Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic drawing showingthe circuit employed in myinvention. Fig. 9 is a view showing principally the clock mechanism;Fig. 10 is a view taken on line 10- 10 of Fig. 9.

To the base frame 9 is securely fastened by means of the screws 10 and11 the electmmagnet 12, composed of the legs 12v and 13 and the yoke 14,the metallic cover 9 being clamped between the magnet and the frame, asshown. To the upper ends of the magnetic cores is securely fastened bymeans of the screws 15 and 16 the bridge plate'l7, the'brm clock framesupports 18 and 19 being securely clamped between said bridge and saidmagnet cores, as shown.

The clock mechanism may be of any ordinary construction, and in thedrawings I have shown it within a the bran inclosure 20, which issecurely mounted upon the clo ck frame supports 18 and '19 by means ofthe screws 21. The main shaft of the clock mechanism is shown at 22.This shaft, of course; being the one which carries the minute hand ofthe clock and which is aucciatcd with the sleeve which carries the hourhand.

This may, of course, be of any ordinary construction and will,therefore, need no description. I dial 24 is mounted upon the clockinclosure or frame 20,

I by means of the pillars 2525. The usual pendulum extending from theclock mechanism is shown at 27,

the bob 28, therefore, being adjustable upon the rod 29. Upon the mainshaft 22 is mounted the ratchet wheel '30, also uponthis shaft, beingloosely mounted, the

arm 31, upon which at its outer extremity the weight 32 is attached.Iivoted at 33 is the pawl 34, adapted for engagement with the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel 30.

The pawl 34 is provided with the leg or extension, 35, the spring 36fastened to the arm-31 being adapted to engage said extension, as shown,and to exert downward pressure upon the same thereby holding the pawl34, into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, 30. v

Thus far those parts have been described which would constitute a clockwhich would operate and which could be rewound by the resetting manuallyof the weight 32 at proper intervals so that it could always exert aforce upon the main shaft 22 by virtue of gravitation, to rotate it inthe direction of the arrow, 37, by way of the pawl and ratchetmechanism.

The ratchet wheel 30 is connected to the shaft 22 by means of the usualpower maintaining mechanism to maintain the operation of the clockduring the time when it isbeing rewound. Since thismechanism is wellknown in the art, I have not shown it in the drawings to avoidcomplication, but I have shown the ratchet wheel 30 keyed directly tothe main shaft 22.

it is manifest that a clock of this construction would operate properlyand with perfect reliability-when toned the armature 40, which is sodisposed with reference to the magnetic poles 41 and 42 of theelectromagnet 12, that it may be attracted by them when theelectromagnet is energized. At its upper end the armature shaft 38 isprovided with the horizontal bar 43, extending radially therefrom.

Upon the stud 44 mounted in the rear wall 45 of the dial is pivotedthebell crank lever 46; the arm 47 is provided with the bifurcated end48 with which the bar 43 is adapted to engage as shown in the drawings.The arm 49 of the bell crank lever extends at approximately right anglesto the arm 47 toward the clock weight 32, as is most clearly illustratedin Fig. 3. Pivoted .at one end to the end of the lever arm 49and at itsother end pivoted to the stud 33, which extends through the arm 3], isthe link 50 which completes the train of operating parts between thearmature shaft and the weight mechanism. With this train of operatingparts, as has just been described, conumsed of the shaft 38, bar 43,bell crank lever 46 and link 50, it is apparent that'any rotation of theshaft 38 will be accordingly transmitted to the weight mechanism, and,of course,

The clock I any motion of the weight mechanism will be transmitted tothe armature shaft.

- The armature 40 is provided with the extension 51 which has the camsurface 52 concentric with the shaft 38. This cam surface is adapted tobe engaged by the cam roller 53, which is mounted upon the pivot 54.

p The pivot 54 is secured to the lever'arm 55 which is pivoted at 56 tothe arm 57 of the bell crank lever 58. This bell crank lever is pivotedat 59, its arm 60 being provided with the insulating block 61 forengaging the contact spring 62, as is best shown in Fig. 5. The spring55 serves to hold the cam roller 53 in close engagement with the camsurface.- The movement of.

the bell crank lever 58- is limited by the stops 57 and 58. Associatedwith the contact spring 62 and mounted' in the same insulating block 63therewith, is the contact spring 64. The springs 62 and 64 beingnormally out of engagement it is evident that sufficient movement of thebell crank lever in the direction of the arrow 65 will, by way of thelever arm 60, and insulating block 61, bring the contact spring 62 intoengagement with the contact spring 64, making connection at the contact66. vThis movement of the bell crank lever in the direction of the arrow65 is procured 'in my arrangement by way of the cam mechanismv which ismost clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

It is one of the important features of my invention that surface 52 ofthe cam is concentric with the axis of rotation of the cam. It isevident that this construction relieves the clock weight of all workother than operating the clock movement, excepting, of course, thefriction of the various bearings of the armature shaft and theassociated lever mechanism. This relief of the clock weight of all workother than operating the clock, of course, adds to the time keepingqualities of the clock. The precise operation of the rewinding mechanismwill be described hereinafter.

The base frame is in the form of a spider which is composed of thecentral piece 67 and the three legs, 68 68. I prefer to have the clockmounted upon framework provided with three-legs in such a manner asshown in the drawings, because the clock when mounted in this manner maybe more positively set, and more easily adjusted. In order to secure a.fine adjustment I provide the legs with thumb screws 69, 69, which may,in an obvious manner, boa-manipulated to secure the desired position ofthe clock. In order that the proper position may be indicated whenadjustment is being made,'I provide the indicator 70, on the yoke 14,and also an indicating mark 71 upon the pendulum rod 29, this indicatingmark being so dis.- posed that when the clock is in the position forperfect operation the mark 71 will register vertically with theindicator point 70. The central portion 67 of the frame is provided withthe lugs 72, 72 which extend downwardly and "which form engagingsurfaces for the storage or dry battery 73. The battery is provided withthe terminals74, 74'. Upon the portion .67 of the. frame are mounted, asshown in Figs. 6 .and 7, the contact springs 75 and 76, these contactsprings serving the double purpose of making good electrical connectionwith the contacts 74, 74, of the battery, and of holding the batterysecurely in place. It is evident that by forcing the contact spring outof engagement with the contact surface of the battery it may be easilyrelfluYt-tl from the frame. Thus, it is apparent that this battery maybe casil y and quickly replaced when necessary the connections beingsimple andsecure, any necessity for complex electrical connections beingeliminated. The contact spring 75 is connected with the elcctromagnet 12by mcaats of thc conductor 75, the other contact. spring 76 beingconncctcd therewith by means of the conductor 76.

l provide, in order to secure an instrument of good :tlilftalt'ztlltft.and further as protection for the parts disosed within it, the metallicbase cover 9. This base cou-r which I prefer to tnake out of sheet brassmay be of any desired form, but i prefer it to be such that the lowersurface is above the engaging surfaces (59, of the tlmtnb screws on.This, of course, is preferable so that the base cover will in no wayinterfere with the proper adjustment of the clock. A glass cover '78tnay be disposed over the operating parts to protect them from dust orother injuriotts matter.

lt is apparent that this construction, as has been described in theforegoing pantgraphs. is such that the clock may be easily andeconomically manufactured.

As the clock unwinds. the ratchet wheel 30 is moved by means of theweight and pawl mechanism, in the direction of the arrow 37. Thismovement causes, by virtue of the connection, 50, between the arm 3t andthe arm 49 of the bell crank lever 46, movement of the bell crank lever46 in the direction of the arrow 75). This movement of the bell cranklever 46 causes, because of the engagement of the rod 43 by the arm 47,a movement. of the armature shaft 38 in the direction of the arrow 80.As has been before stat ed. the cam surface 52 is concentric with thearmature shaft 38. It is, therefore. manifest that while the cam roller53 is in engagement with the cam surface 52, there will be nodisplacement thereof when the armature shaft: is rotated. As the clockunwinds, that is, as the armature rotates in the direction of the arrow80, the point 52 on the cam approaches the cam roller. The surface 52 issuch that when the clock has reached the aforesaid predeterminedcondition when it must be reset, it. will no longer engage the roller53, and will allow a certain predetermined displacement of the camapproaches. This displacement of the bell crank lever 58 is facilitatedby the spring 55. which is normally uttder tension, and which. ofcourse, contracts when the cam roller 53 is not engaged by the catnsurface 52. The displacement is such that the roller is brought intoengagement with tlicsurtlu-c 17" of the bridge plate 17, the bell cranklever 58 being drawn over in the direction of the arrow (35, about thepivot 59. thereby bringing about by way of the arm no and the insulatingblock (if, the movement of the spring (33 toward the contact spring (34.(QUINN-3t tion is thereby obtained at fit) between the springs (32 and(5-1. the spring ()2 being placed under tension.

liy reference to Fig. 8 it will be seen that the electrical circuit maybe completed at titi. '1herel'ore. when this displacement of the camroller 53, as has just been described. takes place. th reby makingconnection between the springs o2 and M. the electrical circuit throughthe electromagnetic coils of the magnet 12, and the battery 73 isclosed. The cores of the electromagnet thereby being energized thearrangement is such. as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. that the armaturemay be attracted, the ends of the armature 81 and 82 being drawn towardthe magnetic poles 41 and 42, respectively. This attraction will causerotation of the armature shaft in the direction of the arrow 83, whichrotation will, by way of the rod 43, move the bell crank lever 46 aboutthe pivot. 44, in the direction of the arrow 84, which movement of thebell crank lever 4t; will, by way of the link 50. draw the arm 31 upwardabout the ntain shaft 22, thereby bringing the weight 32 in the raisedposition and resetting the pawl with reference to the ratchet 30, thusonce more bringing the weight mechanism into such a position that theoperation of the clock may be continued. This position is shown in Fig.3. The electrical circuit is closed com stantly while this reset-ting orraising of the weight. is taking place and it is evident, therefore,that the movement is positive and reliable, does not require excessivestrength of current, and is operated by a steady pull. rather than asudden attraction as in clocks of the prior art.

By reason of the combined tension of springs 55 and 62 the bell cranklever and link 55 have a tendency to assume their normal position. Thisis prevented, however, at. this time by the engagement of the roller 53with the surface 52. Since when in this displaced position the rollerengages the surface 17, as the armatttre rotates in the direction of thearrow 83, it. will, by reamn of its engagementalso with the cam surface52, be moved toward the right, rcfcrring to Fig. This will increase thetension of the spring 02, the circuit, of course, remaining closed. whenthe armature rt aches the position in line with the magnetic poles, thccatn surface 52 will have passed out of cngagemcnt with the l'tlllt-I'53, and the roller will, by reason of the cotn bincd tension of thesprings (52 and 55, be shifted to the left on the cam surface 52. \\'hcnthis restoration takes place, the electrical connection between thesprings 62 and (34 is, of course, broken, thus leaving the cores 4] and42 unencrgized and therefore incapable of interfering w th thesubsequent. rotation of the armature in the direction of the arrow 80,until the circuit is again closed. So that this description may be moreclear, the cycle of operation may be re iewed briefly as follows: Themechanism may first be assumed to be in the position shown in Fig. 3. Asthe clock continttcs in its operation the clock weight is moveddownwardly in the direction of the arrow 37 about the main shaft 22.

This movement causes, by virtue of the train of operating parts,consisting of the link 50. bell crank lever to, rod 43 and armatureshaft 38, a rotation of the armature in the direction of the arrow 80.When, during this rotation, the cam surface 52 reaches such a point.where it no longer engages the roller 53; that is the predctcrminedpoint where the clock is to be reset, the ram roller 53 is so displacedthat the link 55, and bell crank lever 58 are drawn in such a positionas that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. This displacement, as isevident from the drawing, causes connection to be made between thesprings 62 and 64 at (56. The electrical circuit, including theclectromagnets and the battery, is thereby closed and the.electromagnetic cores are enc gized and therefore attract the armature40, setting it in motion in the direction of the arrow 83. By virtue ofthe train of operating parts composed of the annature shaft 38, rod 43,bell crank lever 46 and link 50, this motion causes the arm 31 to bedrawn upwards in the direction of the arrow 90 until it has reached theposition shown in Fig. 3. The cam roller is lifted to the circle of the,cam, thereby once more bringing the link 55 and bell crank lever 58 intotheir normal positions. This, of course, opens the electrical circuit.The entire mechanism is now in condition for this cycle of operation asjust described to be repeated.

It is evident from the foregoing that the operative parts are positivein their action, require little power and are of extreme simplicity ofconstruction.

The attraction by the magnet is in the nature of a steady pull, thecircuit being closed during the entire time while the clock is beingreset. Excessive strength of battery is not needed, the batterytherefore being capable of long use, thus eliminating frequent necessityfor renewal. I provide means whereby the clock can be easily adjustedand whereby the proper adjustment is indicated. The clock is of suchconstruction that it can be easily made. It is such that no specialconstruction of the clock mechanism itself is necessary. Theconstruction is such that the current generator may be easily renewedand without the necessity oi intervals in precisely the same manner asthe weight is reset as hereindescribed.

It is evident that changes'or modifications of my invcntion hereindescribed and shown could be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of my invention, and I do not,therefore, wish to be limited to the precise construction hereindisclosed.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. in a device of the class described, the combination with a clocktrain, of a weight for driving said clock train, ratchet mechanisminterposed mechanically between said weight and said clock train, anelectromagnet, a movable armature therefor, mechanism for transmittingthe motion of the armature to the weight and from the weight to thearmature. a switch controlling the circuit of the elcctromagnet, aswitch actuating lever, a link pivoted on said lever, a cam rollercarried on said link, a cam controlled by the armature and adapted tomove forward and back under said cam roller, there being a projection onthe cum surface, stops independent of the rotation of the cum to limitthe movement of the cam roller, and a spring act ing to maintain saidcam roller on the surface of the can] and tending to move the cam rolleraway from the projection on the cam in thatdirection from theprojection, of the cum in which the cam roller may lie.

2. In a device-attire class described, the combination with anelectromagnet, of a movable armature therefor, a

cam having a movement corresponding with that of the armature, a camroller adapted to occupy two alternate positions, a projection on thesurface of the cam over which the cam roller must ride in passing fromone nltcrnate position to the other, a spring coiipcrniing with the camsurface upon the cam roller and producing a tclidclicy for the cumroller to move from the projcction of the cam in either direction, aswitch controlling the circuit of. the electronmgnet, and inczinswhereby the cum roller may actuate said switch.

Ii. in a device of the class described, .the combination with anelectrolmignet, of a movable armature therefor, a cum having aprojection on its cam surface and the move ment of which is controlledby the movement of the armature, a cam roller riding on the surface ofsaid cum, stops independent of the movement of the cam to lllnit themovement of the cam roller, a spring acting to maintain said cam rolleron the surface of the cam and tending also to move the cum roller awayfrom the projection on the cam surface. a switch controlling the circuitof.the electromagnet. and means whereby the operation of said switch iscontrolled by the cam roller. I

4. in a device of the class described, the combination with a clocktrain, of a weight for. driving said clock train, ratchet mechanisminterposed mechanically between said weight and said clock train, anelectromagnet, a movable armature therefor, mechanism for transmittingthe motion of the armature to the weight and from the weight to thearmature, a switch controlling the circuit of the electromagnet, aswitch actuating lever, a link pivoted on said lever, a cam rollercarried on said link, a cam constructed integrally with the armature andhaving a surface concentric with the pivot of said armature and adaptedto move forward and backward under said cam roller there being aprojection on the cam surface, stops independent of the rotation of thecum to limit the movement of the cam roller, and a spring acting tomaintain said cam roller on the surface of the cam and tending to movethe cam weight from the projection on the cam in that direction from theprojection of the cam in which the cam roller may lie.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with anelectromagnct, of a pivoted armature therefor, a cam having a surfaceconcentric with the pivot of said armature and having a movementcorresponding with that of the armature, a cam roller adapted to occupytwo ulternate positions. a projection on the surface of the cam overwhich the cam roller must ride in passing from one alternate position toanother, a spring coiiperatlug with the cam surface upon the cam rollerand producing a tendency for the. cam roller to move from the projectionof the cam in either direction, a switch controlling the circuit of theelectromagnet, and means whereby the cam roller may actuate said switch.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with anelectromagnct, of a movable armature thci'cfoi, a cam having aprojection on its cum surfaces and the movement of which is controlledby the armature, a cam roller riding on the surface of said cam, stopsindependent of the movement of the cam to limit the movement of the camroller, :1 spring'acting to maintain said cam roller on the surface ofthe cam and tending also to move the cam roliernway from the projectionof the cam surface, a switch controlling the surface of theelcctromngnet, and link mechanism associated therewith whereby theopcra' tion of said switch is controlled by the cam roller.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day ofJanuary A. 1)., 1906.

ARTHUR I POOLE.

Witnesses OLrvn V. Rmm, THOMAS E. Cos'rmn.

